AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - May 1, 2014) - Wireless backhaul solutions for small cells and heterogeneous networks are diverse, as small cell deployments vary significantly in installation locations and backhaul requirements. Both wireless backhaul and fiber are used for small cell backhaul. The main advantages for wireless backhaul are lower cost, faster and easier deployment, and sufficiently scalable throughput (depending on the use case and technology chosen).
When operators choose between wireless backhaul methods -- LOS versus NLOS, microwave versus millimeter wave versus sub-6 GHz, network topology -- it all comes down to the specific challenge they are trying to overcome. Of course there are similarities and best practices across deployments, but the actual technology choice will come down to the specific situation.
The North American market for wireless backhaul for metrocells has begun in 2014. In its latest market study, iGR has forecasted that over the next five years the number of metrocells that will be deployed with wireless backhaul in North America will grow at a CAGR of 146 percent.
"Both non-line-of-sight (NLOS) and point-to-point (PTP) / point-to-multipoint (PTM) wireless backhaul solutions will be deployed with LTE metrocells throughout the forecast period," said Iain Gillott, president and founder of iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry. "Our forecast shows a strong increase in wireless backhaul to support LTE metrocell deployments across a wide range of locations and implementation options."
iGR's new market study Wireless Backhaul Opportunities and Issues for Small Cell Architectures discusses the wireless backhaul technologies available, the benefits and drawbacks of each, the main market drivers for wireless backhaul to support small cells, and the North American forecast for wireless backhaul to support LTE metrocell deployments over the next five years.
The following key questions are addressed in the new market study:
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What is the anticipated growth of wireless backhaul in North America through 2018?
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How do the major mobile operators view wireless backhaul?
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What are the major concerns of the mobile operators with regard to wireless backhaul?
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How can these concerns be addressed?
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What is the role for wireless backhaul in small cell architectures?
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How is wireless backhaul deployed?
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What are the attractions and drawbacks of wireless backhaul for the mobile operators?
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How do PTP, PMP, NLOS, millimeter wave and traditional microwave solutions differ?
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How does wireless backhaul compare to fiber backhaul?